Disney Officially Sets ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ For Late 2015 Release

“It became clear that given the time frame and given the process and the way the thing was going that working with Larry in this way was going to get us where we need to be and when we needed to be,” J.J. Abramssaid today, discussing the recent shift in writing duties for Star Wars: Episode VII. Disney moved from Michael Arndt to Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan, and, though we have yet to hear of any casting decisions, Disney has finally set a release date for the highly-anticipated sci-fi sequel.

With plans calling for production to start early next year in the U.K., it’s been given a December 18th, 2015 — contrary to executives hinting at a summer bow. “We’re very excited to share the official 2015 release date for ‘Star Wars: Episode VII,’ where it will not only anchor the popular holiday filmgoing season but also ensure our extraordinary filmmaking team has the time needed to deliver a sensational picture,” said Disney chairman Alan Horn in an official press release.

The project is currently facing off against the Dan Brown adaptation Inferno and Duncan Jones’ Warcraft, so we expect one, or both, to budge. The studio has also decided to delay Brad Bird‘s George Clooney-led Tomorrowland from a December 12th, 2014 release to May 22nd, 2015. Check out the press release below as we await imminent Star Wars casting.

With pre-production in full-swing, a confirmed release date of December 18, 2015, has been set for Lucasfilm’s highly anticipated Star Wars: Episode VII.

“We’re very excited to share the official 2015 release date for Star Wars: Episode VII, where it will not only anchor the popular holiday filmgoing season but also ensure our extraordinary filmmaking team has the time needed to deliver a sensational picture,” said Alan Horn, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios.

Star Wars: Episode VII will be directed by J.J. Abrams (Super 8, Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek) and is being scripted by Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan (Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi). Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, with Tommy Harper (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Jack Ryan, Star Trek Into Darkness) and Jason McGatlin (Tintin,War of the Worlds) serving as executive producers. John Williams is returning to score Star Wars: Episode VII.